SANTA BARBARA, CA--(Marketwired - Apr 30, 2014) - Conservationists around the globe celebrated when the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled last week that Japan's whaling trips to the Antarctica would be banned. Disguised as a "biological research program," Japan has captured more than 10,000 whales in the Southern Ocean over the last 25 years. In the judgment summary Peter Tomka of Slovakia, the presiding judge of the United Nation's highest court, said that thousands of minke whales and other whales had been killed through Japan's whaling program, but that the "scientific output to date appears limited." Japan was less than enthused by the outcome of the whaling case, but vowed to abide by the decision.

Amongst several environmental groups that had been fighting against the Japanese whale project, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society had been especially active in their efforts, which included sending out ships to the Antarctica where they tried to stop the Japanese fleet from killing the gigantic mammals. "We are very happy with the backing of the International Court," said Geert Vons, a representative of Sea Shepherd, "We had never expected such a strong ruling." The non-profit organization employs a small group of paid staff members, but operates mainly with the help of volunteers and sponsored by donations. Among many supporters of the group are celebrities such as Edward Norton, Pierce Brosnan or the Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as private philanthropic organizations such as the one established by Stanley Tomchin, The Tomchin Family Foundation.

Stanley Tomchin made a promise to match gifts to Sea Shepherd up to $25,000, money which will go straight to the international marine wildlife conservation organization, based in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, Washington in the United States. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which was founded in 1977, set itself the mission to protect wildlife in the oceans around the world in order to conserve ecosystems and species, a goal that Stanley is supporting through his generous donation. Stan brought the Tomchin Family Foundation to life in 2005. Through his charity, he fosters local and international causes around the world. On the foundation's website he urges "For the sake of the seas and for our next generation... let's join together and gift to Sea Shepherd!"

Stanley Tomchin has been supporting marine causes in the past, one of the biggest being the research project in the Bering Sea led by Greenpeace. Aside from contributing to environmental protection projects, Stan is an active and passionate philanthropist and engages frequently in local charities. Originally from New York's Long Island, Stanley is now a resident of Las Vegas. The former chess, bridge and backgammon master left his days as a professional games player behind him and proceeded to use his good fortunes to help others. In Las Vegas, he found a way to combine his love for tennis with this enthusiasm for philanthropy: The Marty Hennessy Jr. Tennis Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps disadvantaged children in the city of Las Vegas by introducing them to tennis, mentoring them and providing them with education.